Protective Coatings & Waterproofing

Extending service life, keeping water out, protecting the structure beneath

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Service Overview

Concrete needs protection. Left unprotected, the surface is exposed to carbonation, chloride ingress, freeze-thaw damage, chemical attack, water penetration and UV degradation. Every one of these mechanisms shortens the service life of the structure. Applied correctly, a protective coating or waterproofing system can extend that service life by decades, at a fraction of the cost of the reactive repair that will otherwise follow.

Protective coatings and structural waterproofing are related but distinct disciplines. Coatings sit on the surface and protect the concrete from atmospheric and chemical exposure. Waterproofing systems prevent water penetration through the structure itself, whether from above (deck waterproofing), below (basements), or at ground level (tanking). CRS delivers both, often on the same project, using systems specified to match the structure and the exposure environment.

On the coatings side, we install anti-carbonation coatings to slow the ingress of atmospheric CO2 and protect embedded reinforcement. Elastomeric coatings for façades where crack-bridging capability is required. Chemical-resistant coatings for industrial floors, tank interiors and secondary containment. Decorative fair-face coatings where appearance matters alongside performance.

On the waterproofing side, we install liquid-applied deck membranes for car parks, plaza decks and podium slabs. Structural waterproofing systems for basements, tanks and below-ground structures, delivered against BS 8102 requirements. Crystalline waterproofing admixtures and surface-applied systems. Movement joint waterproofing where the joint detail is critical to overall system integrity.

Materials are selected from approved system suppliers including Sika, Weber and Mapei. Installation is delivered by trained applicators to the system manufacturer’s specification, ensuring warranties remain valid and long-term performance is maintained. Surface preparation is critical to every coating and waterproofing system, and CRS delivers preparation to the specification the system requires.

What this service covers

Anti-Carbonation Coatings

Surface-applied coatings that slow the ingress of atmospheric CO2 into the concrete, protecting embedded reinforcement from corrosion driven by carbonation. Suitable for façades, exposed concrete elements and structural repair overcoating.

Elastomeric & Crack-Bridging Coatings

Flexible protective coatings that accommodate small structural movement and bridge minor cracks. Suitable for façades, balconies and elements where hairline cracking is anticipated across the service life.

Deck Waterproofing Systems

Liquid-applied and sheet waterproofing systems for multi-storey car park decks, plaza decks, podium slabs and other trafficked or landscaped horizontal surfaces. Delivered to system manufacturer specification.

Structural Waterproofing

Below-ground and structural waterproofing to basements, tanks and retained structures, delivered against BS 8102 requirements. Includes external tanking, internal cavity drainage and integral crystalline systems as specified.

Chemical-Resistant & Industrial Coatings

Chemical-resistant epoxy and polyurethane coatings for industrial floors, tank interiors, bunds and secondary containment. Specified to the chemical exposure environment.

Movement Joint Waterproofing

Waterproofing seals and cover systems for movement and expansion joints where joint detail integrity is critical to overall waterproofing performance. Delivered alongside or independently of joint replacement works.

Why choose Concrete Repair Solutions?

Technical depth

Coating and waterproofing systems fail through incorrect specification, poor surface preparation or wrong material selection more often than through product failure. We specify the system to the structure and the exposure environment, prepare the substrate to the manufacturer requirements, and deliver to a defined quality standard.

Whole life of the structure

CRS surveys, coats, protects and maintains. The same team that specifies and applies the coating returns for future inspections and maintenance cycles. Clients get one point of accountability across the design life of the protection system.

Accredited and approved

SafeContractor accredited, with a CSCS-carded workforce and SSSTS-qualified site supervision. IRATA Level 3 rope access operatives for coating and waterproofing works at height. Independent external HSQE consultancy oversight of health, safety, quality and environmental management on every project.

Track record

Protective coatings and waterproofing delivered across commercial property, multi-storey car parks, residential high-rise, bridges and industrial assets throughout the UK. Live projects viewable in the Projects section.

Our process

1. Survey & Diagnose

On-site inspection, substrate condition assessment, moisture testing and exposure environment analysis. We identify what protection is needed, why, and what the substrate requires before any system can be applied.

2. Specify & Cost

A written specification setting out the coating or waterproofing system, surface preparation requirements, application methodology and warranty provision. Costed against a defensible bill of quantities.

3. Mobilise & Deliver

Site setup, access provision (including rope access where relevant), surface preparation, priming and coating application. Weather conditions monitored and application planned to system requirements. Progress reported at agreed intervals.

4. Protect & Hand Over

Final quality checks, coating thickness verification where specified, and a handover pack covering the works completed, materials used, warranty documentation and recommended future inspection cycles.

Frequently asked questions

A coating protects the concrete from atmospheric and chemical exposure and typically sits on the surface as a relatively thin film. A waterproofing system prevents water penetration through the structure and is usually thicker, tougher and designed to bridge cracks and accommodate movement. Some products serve both functions to a limited extent, but for demanding applications (deck waterproofing, basement tanking, chemical containment) a dedicated waterproofing system is specified.

A correctly specified and installed anti-carbonation coating typically has a service life of 15 to 25 years, depending on the system, the exposure environment and the substrate condition. Regular inspection can identify localised failure early and extend overall system life through targeted maintenance. Manufacturers publish design life figures for their coating systems, and CRS specifies coatings against the client’s intended service life for the structure.

Yes. Structural waterproofing can be delivered on existing structures using several approaches. Internal cavity drainage systems manage water that penetrates the structure and drain it to sump. Applied membranes seal the internal surface. Crystalline waterproofing systems penetrate the concrete and block capillary pathways. Injection systems seal cracks and joints where active leaks exist. The right approach depends on the structure, the water table, the intended use and the client’s requirements.

Most coatings have a defined service life after which they degrade and require reapplication. Anti-carbonation coatings typically last 15 to 25 years. Decorative and elastomeric coatings often need earlier attention depending on UV exposure and colour retention requirements. Chemical-resistant coatings depend heavily on the exposure. Regular inspection extends system life through targeted maintenance rather than full reapplication.

Yes. CRS can be appointed as Principal Contractor on schemes where required, with full CDM 2015 compliance. On projects where a different Principal Contractor is appointed, we work as their specialist sub-contractor and provide the technical and safety documentation their role requires.

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